Spinal Cord Compression Caused by Vertebral Hemangioma: Usefulness of Intra-Operative Vertebroplasty

Vertebral hemangioma is the most common benign spinal tumor. It is usually asymptomatic and extraosseous extension causing spinal cord compression with neurologic symptoms is rare. Pre-operative angiography and embolization should be done for definite diagnosis and prevention of excessive blood loss during the operation. In author's case, pre-operative angiography was done for diagnosis, but unfortunately embolization procedure was not available. We performed intra-operative vertebroplasty with polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA) for the prevention of excessive blood loss during the operation and the maintenance of postoperative stability.